Further Along the Road Less Traveled

This road not unlike its Biblical counterpart, leads to LIFE, that FEW travel. LIFE IS DIFFICULT and further along, also COMPLEX;full of paradoxes. The main one is LEARNING TO LIVE AND DIE. The late Dr. Peck boldly romances death as an enigma and DEADLINE to human experience. As to LIFE, WE ARE HERE TO LEARN. People listened as he successfully remarried psychology with religion; the basis of all disorders (except congenital).Coming from a renowned psychiatrist, Zen Buddhist, turned Christian and author, is most refreshing. His eulogy that we are spiritual beings with God the essence of the unseen order, generalizes it to all religions. Spritual growth through changes in attitude, are painful but must be overcome to attain maturity- the bulls eye of his conceptual concentric path-way.Conversely, many more immature people don't "self-correct" or submit to a higher power. These are "People Of the Lie.". They lie to themselves and others. Credited with habitual playing of BLAMING GAMES; (first coined by psychiatrist-author Dr. Eric Berne)the most common of all psychiatric games, they are on the path to destruction. Dr. Peck's first book is devoted to this group, but, he sounds a warning of suicide if they can't ride out the very painful, internal chaos of their self-serving, manipulation. Both groups embody my own family and the deeply moving, profound truths, confirm my own convictions, for the most part. To be numbered in the few, gave me new heart to continue on my journey.I didn't know that I was on the right track, till I read this book, ten years after reading "The Road Less Travelled". "Scotty" will be missed.Elizabeth Laine author of,"A Butterfly Landed An Eagle".

In the first fifty pages of this book Dr. Peck really inspires me. These pages will be reread by me for many years to come. His words are an affirmation that good work will reap rewards, even if it is not in the form of instant gratification. These first pages remind me that there is a lot more out there, and it helps me to refocus on what is truly important to me, to my family, and to the community I live in. Dr. Peck really speaks to the man in me who wishes to do his best for those around me, as well as helping me to fight back the more selfish man within me. I find this to be a frankly written book, written plainly without unnecessary exercises in intellectual grandeur. He writes intelligently, passionately, and compassionately as Dr. Peck reminds you that he is just a subject to failings as the reader.

I have read most of M. Scott Peck's work and enjoyed this one for his candid discussion on faith. He ties the relationship between psychology and faith together for the reader and states spiritual truth in a way that is applicable to everyday life. It is not necessary to read The Road Less traveled first to enjoy Further Along....

Even better My guess is that if you are looking up this book it is because you are familliar with Scott Peck's work and particulary with The Road Less Travelled. The Road Less Travelled had a profound impact on me in my early twenties - as I know it did millions of other people. Further Along the Road is just as good, if not better. I read it recently in my thirties and it felt like an extraordinarily wise and more mature book. I believe the man who wrote it, has grown in wisdom and maturity and he shares that here in a style which is, as always, clear, thought-provoking and above all affecting. I felt like I was in the presence of a real truth-seeker and a man who had come a good way down the Less Travelled Road himself, and was not afraid to admit his failings and pitfalls. I might add that after the Road less Travelled I bought a number of other Scott Peck books ( A Different Drum, A World WAiting to Be Born, People of the Lie) and was usually disappointed. Further Along on the other hand is a seriously good book. Highly recommended for all seekers of wisdom.

It felt to me, like I was traveling along with Scott on his Journey towards spiritual growth. The more I read, the more interested I became: Here's a man who has traveled (as well as practiced) many different path to enlightenment, yet in the end he has the guts to say "I don't know...!". He gave me many practical hints on how to live life to the fullest, how to get a fresh picture of Jesus and many other, interesting subjects. I especially admired his willingness to reveal himself .Also, his Buddist philosophy of the paradoxal nature of beliefs is very refreshing. The only reason why I did not give it a 10 is because since reading: "Conversations with God", I cannot assign any other book with a higher mark. However, that does not take away from the day-today "hands-on' value of this book. I will definitely get the audio cassettes for those friends (and clients) of mine who could be greatly helped by a particular chapter from the book. Highly recommended for all spiritual counselors, preachers and those of you who struggle with the conventional image of God, the devil, Heaven and Hell. Good work Mr. Scott.